Champions Trophy: India storm to convincing win over Pakistan

India stormed to a 124-run win over rivals Pakistan in their rain-affected Champions Trophy Group B clash at Edgbaston.

Virat Kohli blasted an unbeaten 81 off 68 balls and Yuvraj Singh 53 off 32 as India posted a formidable 319-3 from 48 overs, while Pakistan, in pursuit of a Duckworth-Lewis-Smith adjusted target of 289 in 41 overs, were bowled out some way short for 164.

India will be relieved to get their tournament off to a winning start after rain forced the players from the field on three separate occasions threatening a second Edgbaston washout in as many games, and in front of fervent 24,156 strong crowd - the highest ever attendance for an ODI at the ground.

Batting first, India came off in the 10th and 34th overs of their innings, with the stoppages seemingly affecting their rhythm - Rohit Sharma particularly struggling after getting off to a strong start.

Though he'd finish as India's top-scorer for the innings, Sharma (91 off 119 balls) could score only four runs off 20 deliveries either side of the second rain break despite having been seemingly well-set in the 70s at the time.

Shikhar Dhawan (68 off 65), who also hit a fine half century - sharing in a 136-run opening partnership with Sharma - rather tamely departed in between the two rain breaks, flicking a Shadab Khan (1-52) full toss straight to Azhar Ali at deep midwicket.

Sharma, meanwhile, perished in the 37th over when he was rather unfortunate to be run out - his bat bouncing up and failing to ground beyond the popping crease as he dived for home.

It brought Yuvraj to the crease with Kohli and the pair pummeled a sorry Pakistan attack in the closing overs, as many as 113 runs coming from the final nine.

Pakistan certainly didn't help their cause by dropping both batsmen - Hasan Ali spilling Yuvraj when on eight at long-on, and Fakhar Zaman dropping Kohli on 44 at deep square-leg.

Kohli had struggled for fluency early on in his innings, taking 58 balls to reach his half century, but his next 31 runs took only 10 deliveries. Yuvraj, meanwhile, reached his half century in just 29 balls.

And even when Yuvraj fell in the penultimate over of the innings - lbw on review to Hasan (1-52) - Hardik Pandya (20no) came in and continued the carnage, launching the first three balls of Imad Wasim's final over for three sixes.

To make matters worse for Pakistan, both Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz - his 0-87 in 8.4 overs the most expensive figures in Champions Trophy history - left the field late on to injury.

Though Pakistan's run-chase got off to a reasonable start either side of a final rain break in the fifth over, their innings was ultimately fraught with poor shot selection and running between the wickets.

Live ICC Champions Trophy Cricket

Azhar Ali played nicely for 50 from 65 deliveries at the top of the order, but with the required run-rate consistently climbing, Pakistan were forced into some expansive strokeplay, which they failed to execute.

Babar Azam (8) slashed a wide Umesh Yadav (3-30) delivery straight to Ravindra Jadeja at backward point, Azhar top-edged a short offering from Jadeja down to deep square-leg, while Jadeja completed a personal hat-trick of sorts by running out Shoaib Malik (15) with a direct hit.

Mohammad Hafeez (33) also perished in the deep off Jadeja (2-43), while Imad Wasim (0) flayed Pandya (2-43) to the fielder at point to depart first ball as the tail were swiftly skittled - Pakistan bowled out in just 33.4 overs.

Pakistan next play on Wednesday when facing South Africa in a day-night match at Edgbaston, while India play a day later against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

The live ICC Champions Trophy coverage continues on Sky Sports 2 HD on Monday, with the day-night Group A game between Australia and Bangladesh at The Oval. Tune in from 1pm to see all the action.